Kazakhstan Reintroduces Quarantine Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Resurgence

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the number of COVID-19 cases increases in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, health authorities have partially reinstated the quarantine restrictions lifted last May.

According to foreign media on the 23rd (local time), Nur-Sultan health authorities designated the area as a medium-risk zone (Yellow Zone) due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and required residents to wear masks when visiting public places. However, children under the age of 5 are exempted. Meetings with more than 10 participants are recommended to be held via video conference.

In Kazakhstan, COVID-19 is resurging mainly in three major cities with large populations: Nur-Sultan, Almaty, and Shymkent. On the 19th, Kazakhstan health authorities announced that the number of new COVID-19 cases reported over one week reached 8,156, more than three times the 2,558 cases reported the previous week.

Among the new cases, 89% were either unvaccinated or had received their last vaccine dose over six months ago. Of these, 79% reside in the three cities of Nur-Sultan, Almaty, and Shymkent.

According to Kazakhstan's official statistics website, 2,649 new COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide on that day. By region, Nur-Sultan reported 808 cases, Almaty 810 cases, and Shymkent 102 cases.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.